2027 Best Value English Schools in Michigan

[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2027 Best Value English Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
For return on investment in english, no school beat Oakland University this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,990. English graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $31,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,937. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,742. That is a strong return on a $16,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. English graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for english. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,758 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $48,574. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $28,570 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $39,334. That is a strong return on a $28,570 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Western Michigan University came in at #8 for value in english this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #9 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. English graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $25,412 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Michigan University came in at #10 for value in english this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. English graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $25,367. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College came in at #11 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,900. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,456. English graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $24,329 early in their careers. Set against $25,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #12 for value in english this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,443. English graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $28,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,443 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,707. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hope College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,396. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $23,815. That is a strong return on a $25,396 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.